Rather, the freshman midfielder took advantage of her opportunity to play in a state final by scoring two goals and being named most valuable player of the Pirates’ 3-0 win over South Iredell on Saturday in the NCHSAA 2-A championship game.

But while Ring stood out with her performance in the title match at Dail Soccer Stadium at N.C. State University, she was understandably shocked by being named MVP.

After all, she is a freshman.

“I worked hard at practice, but so have all the other girls and so it could have been anyone,” Ring said. “We all worked hard during this game and we all fought.

“I was so shocked because everybody is good, and it’s surprising because I am a freshman and I don’t expect anything.”

Yet the 15-year-old Ring added that being MVP felt good.

“It’s a great feeling to be recognized for everything I’ve tried to do,” she said.

And what Ring did on Saturday as well as throughout the season was give Swansboro another scoring threat.

She entered the championship game third on the team in scoring with 16 goals and 16 assists. Ring’s speed and ability to find the ball in areas where she could score made her a dangerous player.

“Tylor did awesome,” senior midfielder Julianna Tucker said. “Her speed and her foot skills have gotten a lot better throughout the season. Her and Kimberly Moore work really well together.”

Ring and Moore, a sophomore, should help keep the Pirates strong in the next few years.

Ring has played soccer since she was four. She enjoys the sport, although that wasn’t always the case.

“A funny story, I hated it at first,” Ring said. “And now I just love it. I just love everything about it.”

And the Pirates love the fact Ring is so good.

But while Ring has emerged as a go-to player for the Pirates, she recalled having to work hard in the preseason in order to be a contributing player.

As a freshman, she knew she had to stand out in practice to show she could play well on the varsity level.

“I thought coming into it that I was not going to get a lot of playing time, and that I was going to have to battle every practice and try to earn myself a spot,” Ring said. “At first, I was so nervous and jumpy at practice being one of the youngest girls on the team.

“And then later in the season, the team just started bonding more and incorporating everybody, and we just became a family.”

Page 2 of 2 - Swansboro coach Doug Kidd had high expectations from Ring after watching her play with the Pirates during summer league games. He was impressed with her confidence level, speed and work with the ball.

“She showed right away that she belonged,” Kidd said. “She came in and just continues to prove us right that she belonged. She had a fantastic freshman year.”

Kidd, though, doesn’t just like Ring’s physical attributes.

“Tylor adds pace and she adds a finishing touch, but what really impresses us about her is her coachability,” Kidd said. “She will come and ask you questions. ‘Coach, what do you think about this?’ She wants to get better and be a high-level player.”

Now this freshman is just that. But more importantly, this Ring will receive a ring for herself after helping Swansboro win the state title.